Flint: Treasure of Oblivion – Meet the Crew of the Pirate RPG

Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is a tactical RPG set amid a fantastical take on the Golden Age of Piracy. With real-time exploration and turn-based combat, you’ll guide Captain Flint and his crew through a tale told through comic book techniques.

With the game coming to Xbox Series X|S later this year, we’d like to take you on a tour of the characters at the center of this epic pirate adventure.

Captain Flint and His Right-hand Man

The first thing to point out is that the protagonists in Savage Level’s tactical RPG are taken from the classic novel Treasure Island. We asked Creative Director Aurélien Josse what drew the studio to R. L. Stevenson’s work:

“Firstly, Treasure Island is one of the best-known pirate novels in the world, so it speaks to many players,” explained Josse. “But some of the characters aren’t developed much in the novel, like Flint. We thought it would be interesting to explore these characters, and offer our own vision of what led them to become what they are in Treasure Island.”

The aforementioned Captain Flint is the lead character, and the game is named after him. For Savage Level, James Flint offers an opportunity to give the audience a more realistic pirate-captain archetype than the depiction often given in movies – both in his values and his actions. Another interesting aspect of this character, which Josse talked to us about, is his adaptability: “Flint comes from a well-heeled background, so he has the manners and turns of phrase needed to mingle with the elite. But he’s equally comfortable conversing with his crew in a thick pirate dialect.

We can’t talk about James Flint without mentioning Billy Bones, who is the captain’s second in command. “He likes to enjoy life,” described Josse. “He has solid values, but he’s also the first to step into a fight when needed.” Readers of Treasure Island will remember that Billy Bones is alone and hunted in R. L. Stevenson’s novel. When they play Flint: Treasure of Oblivion, they will discover how he turned from close friend to outcast…

The People in James Flint’s Orbit

Outside of the captain and his tight circle, you will find other prime protagonists. Among them is John Silver, who also plays a crucial role in Treasure Island; although, unlike the book, he has not yet lost his leg in Flint: Treasure of Oblivion. “He’s a manipulator, and there are some underlying tensions with Captain Flint over who’s in charge of the crew,” revealed Josse.

Some of the key characters are women reflecting the reality of piracy in the 18th Century, even though they were in a minority. “It was important for us to include them, and to show the audience that several of the most well-known pirates were actually women,” emphasized Josse. Players of Flint: Treasure of Oblivion will meet the famous Mary Read, who contributes her skills as a formidable fighter. There is also the iconic Anne Bonny, who plays the role of enforcer of the captain’s orders.

Lastly, Captain Flint’s adventure would not be possible without his crew: all the people who keep the ship up and running, from the kitchens to the sails and the helm. “Crews were very mixed bunches,” Josse told us. “At a time when inequality was rife, pirates welcomed people from all kinds of ethnic and religious backgrounds.” These sailors had a shared code of honor: to be masters of their destiny, and to take revenge on their former taskmasters in the merchant and military navies.

Beware though, as cracks can quickly appear in this veneer of unity… If food and gold are not supplied in sufficient quantity, the crew are liable to mutiny; and you underestimate their power at your peril. You’ll need to develop your listening and loyalty-building skills in Flint: Treasure of Oblivion, set for release in late 2024.